What will it take for a club to stop one of Jose Mourinho or Pep Guardiola lifting the Premier League trophy? Divine intervention? A bout of food poisoning across Manchester?
If anyone can rival the deep, gifted squads of the world’s two best managers it is Chelsea.
Here are three reasons why the Blues can transform themselves from mid-table fodder to title-winners again…
PLAYERS IN PLACE
There were many humiliations for Chelsea last season, but they still have the framework of their title-winning squad from 2014-15 at the club.
A fit and fighting Diego Costa has already shown a more competitive edge than the entirety of last season, while Eden Hazard also appears to have rediscovered his form.
Those two players alone have the Blues looking capable of competing for the top honours in English football.
Aside from those previously off-the-boil Blues, Chelsea’s chief season-killer last year was their defence.
The additions of Marcos Alonso and David Luiz have aided their cause, but it’s the signing of N’Golo Kante that will worry their Manchester rivals. The Frenchman has already produced some match-altering midfield displays and will be key for Antonio Conte’s side when they face their rivals.
EUROPEAN DEMANDS
Manchester City and Manchester United are competing in the Champions League and Europa League respectively this season, meaning midweek trips across the continent and a need for careful squad rotation.
Jose Mourinho, particularly, is not inclined to rotate his squad too often and it’s likely that fatigue will be the greatest challenge to both Manchester clubs. It will ardently test their fringe players, and we are yet to discover if they are really up to the challenge of competing for multiple honours.
Chelsea’s prize for such an abysmal 2015-16 season, meanwhile, is a rather empty calendar. No long flights in the middle of the week can only aid Conte’s team. The Italian’s sides play with a lot of emotion, a lot of energy, which can become draining and that time to recharge batteries will be invaluable.
Look no further than Leicester City’s remarkable run to the title last year, built on the back of a squad solely focused on the league.
Antonio Conte celebrates his third successive Serie A title at Juventus.
MANAGING MAESTRO
If Mourinho and Guardiola are the two best managers in the world, Conte cannot be far behind. Aside from his successes with Bari, Siena and Juventus, Conte masterminded a limited Italy side’s surprise foray to the European Championship quarter-finals in France.
His multiple title wins at Juventus took the club back to the pinnacle of European football and his approach is adventurous, fast-paced and capable of reinvigorating Chelsea. If anyone can rekindle the competitive spirit and winning mentality of this Chelsea team, it is Conte.
Despite Chelsea’s tendency to enter meltdown when things are looking rosy, they must be considered serious contenders for the crown this year. The Italian manager will find a way to take points from games where they perhaps should not – as he already has – and has the nous to compete with Guardiola and Mourinho tactically.
The Blues will be happy to trot along in the shadows for now, but both Manchester clubs must be aware of the threat that they pose.
